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Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India
J20A: There is a well-preserved panel on the ceiling of left niche. On the two sides are border of triangles. It shows a couple in dancing posture. The female holds a garland in both the hands. Underside of a stone beam on the left of the ceiling is painted with flowers.
J20: A large number of paintings are extant in this cave, but these are very dark and unclear. The arrangement of paintings is very similar to that in J19 with the difference that the back aisle of the hall ceiling has two panels unlike J19 where five panels are executed. The other difference is three painted panels on each sidewall of the shrine instead of two as in J19 because this cave does not have any icons on the sidewalls (Fig. 31).
Shrine
Of the three panels on the sidewalls, the lower portion is damaged both the sides. The panels are divided by plain bands. There is a border from ceiling to floor near the front wall. Each of the panels has a few figures, which are shown seated with heads turned to face the Jina on the back wall. 1. Figures: The uppermost panel on the left sidewall has curious figures (Plate 68). There is a procession of animal riders, a horse rider, a peacock with feathers spread and a horse with a couple on its back. All the animals are in profile, shown moving towards Jina. Below the first horse rider are two small dwarfish figures. Similar four figures can be seen below second horse also. There are clouds all around this panel.
In the central panel, there are nine male figures seated in a row and turned to the main icon. All wear usual ornaments. One has hands held up in añjali. Others have hands near chest. It is not clear whether they are holding something or are in anjali mudrā. In the middle is a face of small figure, probably a gaņa.
The lower panel is damaged, but it seems to be similar to second panel. About five figures can be made out. 2. Figures: The upper panel on the right sidewall is not very clear. Only some gana figures can be seen amidst clouds at lower portion. In the end near front wall is depicted a flying male figure moving towards Jina. Otherwise, only clouds can be seen.
In the middle panel, there are nine seated female figures corresponding to the males on the opposite wall. Some of the figures are shown with their heads turned back. The figures, though not very clear, appear to be in añjali (Plate 69).
In the lower panel, there are five seated males, who seem to be monks, as they do not wear any ornaments. Behind them can be seen two or three males with long crowns.
All these figures sit with head bent down in adoration. The figures in the upper panels on both the sidewalls are shown amidst the clouds, while the lower two panels do not show clouds as the figures in the upper panels are semi-divine figures, while those in the lower two panels are human beings. 3. Parsvanatha: The right front wall of the shrine has a large panel depicting Parsvanatha similar to that in J19. It is quite damaged. 4. Bahubali: As in J19, on the left front wall is a very well preserved panel of Bahubali (Plate 70). Like its sculptural counterpart, he stands in kāyotsarga mudrā with creepers on his arms and thighs. His eyes are half closed. Behind his head is halo and above is a
